Traces of China: Dragon Boats — From ancient Chinese ritual to global sport

More than just a race, dragon boating reveals the power of rhythm, teamwork, tradition, and human connection. In Traces of China: Dragon Boats, presenter Russell Beard explores how a 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition has evolved into a truly global sport. Through visits to British canoeing organizer Mike Haslam, who introduced the sport to the UK in 1981 as a lunchtime curiosity, and German boatbuilder Andreas Stankewitz, who transformed heavy teak vessels into lightweight fiberglass racing boats that were later exported back to China, the film reveals how tradition and innovation came together to create a global phenomenon. From breast cancer survivors who found healing through paddling to thousands of competitors across 33 nations, dragon boating endures as a living bridge between East and West—a moving meditation on rhythm, recovery, and the unexpected power of an ancient tradition. #tracesofchina #dragonboat #chineseculture #sport #dragonboatfestival Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @cgtneurope   For more: https://www.cgtn.com/europe Social Media X:   / cgtneurope   Facebook:   / cgtneuropeofficial   Instagram:   / cgtneurope   YouTube:    / cgtneurope   Feedly: https://feedly.com/i/subscription/fee... OTT iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id14668... Apple TV: https://www.cgtnnow.com/help/using-th... Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... Android TV: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... Roku: https://channelstore.roku.com/en-gb/d... Fire TV: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07... Our Shows RAZOR:    / @razorscience   Podcasts: https://www.cgtn.com/special/CGTN-EUR... #CGTN #CGTNLIVE #CHINANEWS #EuropeNews